in the grass, near the end of the field, in the path by which the brâhman would come, he lay in wait for his appearance. The Bodhisat, on his arrival, first went down to the pond, washed his mouth, embraced and showed his friendship for the crab, made him lie within his upper garment, and then went into the field.
When the snake saw the farmer coming he made a sudden dash at him and bit him on the fleshy part of the shoulder; and, having caused him to drop down near the mound, he took to flight. The falling of the Bodhisat, the leaping of the crab from the interior of the (upper) garment, and the coming and alighting of the crow on the breast of the Bodhisat, took place simultaneously.
The crow, having alighted, applied his beak to the eyes of the farmer. The crab thought to himself, "On account of this crow my friend is in danger. If the crow is captured the serpent will come (to the rescue)." Seizing the crow by the neck, as with a pair of tongs, he held him firmly in his claw, then exhausted and rendered him helpless. The crow called out for the serpent: "Wherefore, sir, have you forsaken me and fled away? This crab worries me. Come here (and help me) while there's life in me." Then he uttered the following gâtha:—
"This horned[1] beast, with eyes full long and large.
That hath no hair, whose skin is like a bone.
And in the water takes up his abode,
Doth hold me fast; away I cannot get,
Come quick I pray; Oh! why forsake thy friend
Who loves thee well, and needs at once thy aid."
The serpent, on hearing this, spread out its hood, and came to succour the crow.
The teacher, being fully enlightened, by way of explaining this matter, uttered the following gâtha:—
"The hissing snake, with hood outspread.
The crab full near did come.
As friend in need to help a friend,
But him the crab did seize."
Then the crab worried the serpent and rendered him helpless. Then thought the serpent, "Of a truth crabs never eat crow's flesh nor
- ↑ Singî=golden as well as horned.
